Australia’s wide open roads, stunning coastlines, and unique outback towns make it one of the best countries in the world for a road trip. Whether you’re driving the Great Ocean Road, exploring the Red Centre, or doing a full lap around the country, planning your trip the right way makes all the difference.
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you exactly how to plan an unforgettable road trip across Australia using a trip planner app like Journey.
Step 1: Choose Your Route
Australia is vast—so choosing your route is key. Here are a few popular road trip routes:
- Great Ocean Road (VIC): 243 km of coastal beauty from Torquay to Allansford.
- Sydney to Brisbane: The Legendary Pacific Coast, filled with surf towns and national parks.
- Perth to Broome: A wild west coast adventure with gorges and red cliffs.
- The Big Lap: A full loop of Australia via Highway 1 (26,000 km!).
Use a trip planner app like Journey to map your route and estimate drive times between stops.
Step 2: Plan Your Stops
Map out overnight stays, sightseeing spots, and rest areas. Consider:
- National Parks (e.g., Kakadu, Grampians, Blue Mountains)
- Beach towns (e.g., Byron Bay, Noosa, Esperance)
- Outback stops (e.g., Coober Pedy, Alice Springs, Uluru)
With Journey, you can drop pins on your map and add notes, times, and travel durations to stay organised.
Step 3: Book Accommodation & Activities
Australia can be busy during school holidays and weekends, so booking early helps:
- Campsites (via Wikicamps or Hipcamp)
- Hostels or motels
- Guided tours (snorkelling, Indigenous experiences, etc.)
Add these bookings to your travel itinerary in Journey to keep all your plans in one place.
Step 4: Prepare Your Vehicle
Whether you’re renting a campervan or taking your own car:
- Get a full vehicle service before you leave.
- Pack a spare tyre, water, fuel can, and emergency kit.
- Download offline maps in case you lose reception in remote areas.
Step 5: Budget & Fuel Planning
Australia isn’t cheap—especially when it comes to petrol. Plan your budget:
- Use apps like FuelMap to track fuel prices.
- Estimate fuel usage with Journey’s distance calculations.
- Account for food, accommodation, tours, and park entry fees.
Step 6: Build Your Itinerary with Journey
Journey is a free trip planner app that’s perfect for Australian road trips:
- Add each stop, attraction, or overnight stay to a timeline.
- View the full route on an interactive map.
- See drive durations automatically.
- Available on desktop, iOS, and Android.
👉 Start planning your road trip with Journey – it’s 100% free
Bonus Tips for Road Tripping Australia
- Watch out for kangaroos at dawn and dusk—they’re unpredictable.
- Carry cash in remote areas without card facilities.
- Always check the weather and road conditions before long stretches.
- Respect Aboriginal land and culture when passing through Indigenous areas.
Final Thoughts
An epic Australian road trip is a bucket-list experience—and with the right plan, it’s easy to make it unforgettable. Use a trip planner app like Journey to map your route, manage your time, and keep your itinerary organised across devices.
Let the open road lead the way!